"Joining a team that has won the championship comes with different expectations" - Jamshedpur FC head coach Aidy Boothroyd
After a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at the hands of Odisha FC in their opening game, Jamshedpur FC will travel to the Mumbai Football Arena to face former champions Mumbai City FC on Saturday, October 22.
The Red Miners blew away a two-goal lead in the dying moments to lose against Odisha. They have since had a 10-day break ahead of facing the Islanders.
Speaking about the forced break, head coach Aidy Boothroyd said during the pre-match press conference:
"When you get a result like we did, where you do really well and then end up losing 3-2 in the last minutes, it's [the gap] is the worst. Because what you want to do is play a game straight away. So during the 10-day layoff, we sulked a little bit, licked our wounds, and then used them purposefully. We had a couple of extra sessions that we might not have done before.
"But we were really fidgety and wanted to go out and play. Now the match gives a great opportunity to come and play one of the best teams."
🎙 The Gaffer shares his thoughts on #MCFCJFC.
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The Men of Steel conquered the ISL Shield last season under Owen Coyle and came into the new season amid a lot of expectations. Boothroyd, who has huge boots to fill following Coyle's departure, said in this regard:
"As a head coach when you come into a job, usually it's in disarray and usually near the bottom of the table. So joining a team that has won the championship comes with different expectations from the supporters, the media and the club. The dressing room took the new players in seamlessly. It's a very good group of players that works very hard."
Greg Stewart's departure gives someone else an opportunity to step up: Aidy Boothroyd
In just a single season, Greg Stewart entered ISL folklore with his talismanic performance for Jamshedpur FC.
He scored 10 goals and 10 assists last season, leading Jamshedpur to a league triumph.
🏻.@PeterHartley88 opens up about how a dressing room confrontation with #GregStewart last season turned into a season-defining moment for @JamshedpurFC! 🗣️
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However, the Scot parted ways with the Red Miners and joined Mumbai City FC in the summer. Stewart will now face his former side on Saturday.
Boothroyd lauded the former Rangers forward and opined:
"Greg has started off very well at Mumbai City FC. He was our top assister, our top goal-scorer last season. A massive contributor. But what his departure means now is someone else has the opportunity to be the top goalscorer and the top assister at our club."
Mumbai FC are coming into the encounter on the back of a 2-0 victory over Odisha FC. The Islanders, who started their campaign with a 1-0 win against NorthEast United, will be yearning to extend their unbeaten start to the ISL season.